Summer engagement scheme is bigger and better this year
It’s hoped that more young people will be able to benefit from the Council’s summer engagement scheme this year.
The scheme is part of the Youth Offending Team's (YOT) work with young people in Plymouth who have committed, or who are at risk of committing, criminal offences. The aim is to help them get involved in positive, exciting and challenging, activities during the summer holidays that will support them and prevent further offending.
The scheme is co-ordinated and delivered in partnership with the Education, Training and Employment team (ETE) which was established last year to support young people who were known to YOT and not engaging in any form of Education training or employment.
As part of the scheme this year, 12 young people will also be offered the chance to attend the Write to Freedom workshop. The workshop is made up of three sessions a week throughout the six weeks summer holiday.
It’s hoped the workshop will give these young people an opportunity to explore the dangers of their behaviour and involvement in criminal activities by offering them an alternative through self-reflection, positive role models and a safe and supportive environment through the ongoing support of their youth worker
Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health said: "Once a young person enters the justice system, it can be difficult to get back on the straight and narrow. If we can work with them before they've offended, then they stand a better chance of staying out of trouble. Programmes like these are extremely important as they really do offer that extra guidance and support that some young people need in order to turn their lives around.”
One young man who has already been on the workshop and is coming to the end of his court order said: “Thank you so much for making me come here, as I would otherwise be hanging around with my mates causing trouble. I find it hard to say no to them but I do want to stay out of trouble. I need support.” He’s now volunteering to become a mentor for other young people who will be taking part in the project.
The aim this year is to work with young people known to the YOT and the Targeted Youth Support Team, with a view to leading them to positive engagement in longer term education, training and employment which would support a reduction in both offending and reoffending.
